Born and raised in Oakland, California, Shakir Stewart attended
Morehouse College in Atlanta, graduating in 1996. Stewart began his
music industry career at the publishing company Hitco where he was
responsible for signing artists like Beyonce. He moved on to Arista
Records where he worked in A&R, signing Ciara.
Leaving Arista, Stewart became music consultant to the Tyra Banks
hosted tv series "America's Next Top Model" in 2003. From this
position, he joined Def Jam Recordings where he was responsible for
signing Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, among others. Upon the departure of
Jaz-Z from Def Jam, Stewart was named to succeed him.
On November 1st, 2008 Mr. Stewart committed suicide at his home in
Marietta, Georgia with a self-inflicted gun shot.